IHC tells PTI to stage sit-in at ‘Parade Ground’ only in capital

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday told Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf to hold its planned mass protest at Islamabad’s Parade Ground only and that too without freezing normal activities in the capital.

Dissatisfied with the verdict, PTI said it would challenge the decision at the Supreme Court.

Designating a place for the November 2 protest, Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui of the IHC said Imran Khan could stage the party protest at the Parade Ground, however, if people came in more numbers than expected, PTI could also go to the expressway.

No one from the protesting parties should be taken into custody nor should anyone put a damper on Imran Khan’s sit-in programme, told Justice Siddiqui during the hearing.

The court also showed displeasure with the authorities over placing containers at major entry points of the capital city and in the province of Punjab.

Justice Siddiqui also ordered officials to ensure that the rights of citizens were protected during the demonstration.

It asked the interior ministry and the government to refrain from blocking roads leading to Islamabad and insisted if anyone found violating law and order in the federal capital during the protest, he or she should be dealt according to the law.

Speaking to media after the court hearing, PTI legal adviser Babar Awan said PTI would challenge the verdict because democratically, Tehreek-i-Insaf had a right to stage protest anywhere in the capital.

He said PTI workers also wanted to register a protest at D-Chowk and the parliament house.

PTI had announced to stage a mass protest and sit-in against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his government on November 2 over Panama Leaks allegations.

Imran Khan had clarified that the demonstration would continue until the premier steps down or presents himself for accountability, claiming that a million people would attend the grand protest in the capital.

It should be noted that IHC had also summoned PTI Chairman to appear in the court on Monday; however, he did not attend the proceeding.